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Description

Dragonflies are divided into two groups: the suborder Anisoptera, which rest with their wings outspread, and the suborder Zygoptera, also called damselflies, which rest with their wings folded together over their backs.

Adults are often strikingly coloured with wings that feature distinctive banded patterns. The head has two large compound eyes and very short antennae. All dragonflies possess two pairs of membranous wings that are larger in suborder Anisoptera than in suborder Zygoptera. The abdomen is long and slender.

The aquatic odonate larva is equipped with unusual mouthparts that form a grasping hinged labium that can be rapidly extended to capture prey; at rest, it is folded away under the head.

Life cycle

Before mating, the male loops the tip of his abdomen forward to transfer sperm to its base. He then finds his partner and grasps her behind the head with the claspers at the tip of his abdomen. The female loops her abdomen under as well, placing its tip against the base of the male’s abdomen. Together they form a circular shape called the “wheel position.”

Dragonflies often fly in tandem as they mate and may remain in this position while the female deposits her eggs. Depending on the species, eggs are laid in water or inserted into the stems of water plants. The larval stage is spent underwater. When fully grown, the larva, or nymph, climbs out of the water onto a plant stem or other support and emerges as an adult dragonfly. It will have to wait a while before its body and wings have dried and it becomes strong enough to fly.

French name

Libellules (demoiselles)

English name

Dragonflies (for Anisoptera), damselflies (for Zygoptera)

Class

Insecta

Order

Odonata

Habitat/Diet

Habitat

Adults usually live near the streams or stagnant ponds where the larvae develop.

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Interesting facts

Dragonflies spend a great deal of time in the air. They catch – and eat – prey in flight. Some species are extremely strong flyers and can travel many kilometres.

They are excellent hunters, thanks to their enormous eyes that give them keen eyesight. Their ability to rotate their heads gives them almost 360-degree vision. Anisoptera curl their legs to form a handy little basket to scoop up their prey.

Odonates are primitive insects that are unable to fold their wings. However, each of their four wings is capable of independent movement. Their wing beat is relatively slow, at around 30 beats per second, compared to the 1,000 beats per second of a fly, for example. In spite of this, some species can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h and migrate thousands of kilometres. Anisoptera can fly upwards, sideways, backwards, and also hover.

There are more than 140 odonate species in Quebec.

Ecological roles

Both larvae and adults prey mainly on flies, mosquitoes and other small insects, and help keep their populations under control.

The larvae of some odonate species are used as indicators of water quality, given their sensitivity to pollutants.